Since I live in Atlanta and therefore have access to archives of the Atlanta Journal & Constitution in my public library, I decided to do a little research on the history of this theater. I’ve written up the results in somewhat gory detail as an article for Wikipedia. See the results here:
Some highlights include: It was actually opened in October 1940 and operated as the Euclid Theatre until July 1962. It was the Ellis Cinema from October 1984 to August 1988. It became the Variety in June 1989 and has operated under that name ever since.
The article indicates the Gordon was 1,300 seats when built. The Little 5 location was the Euclid (now Variety Playhouse) and if you look at the photos linked above you can see a definite similarity between the Gordon’s design and that of Variety.
The third location described is where the downtown connector & Georgia Archives are now, so it no doubt is long demolished.
Since I live in Atlanta and therefore have access to archives of the Atlanta Journal & Constitution in my public library, I decided to do a little research on the history of this theater. I’ve written up the results in somewhat gory detail as an article for Wikipedia. See the results here:
Wikipedia: Variety Playhouse
Some highlights include: It was actually opened in October 1940 and operated as the Euclid Theatre until July 1962. It was the Ellis Cinema from October 1984 to August 1988. It became the Variety in June 1989 and has operated under that name ever since.
This was one of at least three theaters that Lucas & Jenkins built in 1940 in Atlanta.
See this article for a contemporary mention:
BoxOffice, (March 23, 1940) L&J Circuit Building Three In Atlanta (page 75)
The article indicates the Gordon was 1,300 seats when built. The Little 5 location was the Euclid (now Variety Playhouse) and if you look at the photos linked above you can see a definite similarity between the Gordon’s design and that of Variety.
The third location described is where the downtown connector & Georgia Archives are now, so it no doubt is long demolished.